The Birth of Ashlyn Grace!

Meet Sarah and Jordan!

This is such a fun introduction because it's my son's 2nd grade teacher!! It's such a privilege to support her through this pregnancy and labor very soon as she's been such a big influence in my son's life!  She's worked so hard to get educated and much more prepared for this birth - please keep them in your prayers as she's waiting on this one to make it's arrival!

Tell us about your family: 
Jordan is a welder and Sarah is an elementary school teacher. We have been married 4 years, though we just spent our first full year together as a couple, as Jordan got out of the United States Marine Corp a year ago February. We have a beautiful baby girl who will be two in June. She is our whole world. We are soaking up every second of living close to family and putting down some roots.

Estimated due month :
May 4 (Star Wars Day!)

Gender: 
We are having another baby girl.

What are you wanting for your birth?
We are hoping to not have to be induced or to use an epidural for this delivery. We have learned so much since our first birthing experience and feel much more prepared to navigate whatever happens during this delivery. Ultimately, we want a healthy baby and mother.

What are you hoping to get from doula support?
We wanted someone knowledgeable with us who can support mom, help dad support mom, help us process information being given to us from doctors, as well as educate us further on pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

How can we pray for you? 
We would love prayers for a healthy baby and mom, as well as for our daughter that she transitions well to sharing mommy and daddy with her baby sister.

*** Birth Update ***

What details would you like to share about your birth?
I have spent the last nine days in awe of what women's bodies were created to do when no one intervenes. During labor and delivery, I was able to move how my body and baby needed me to. It was amazingly instinctual.

What surprised you the most?
How amazing the high is after a natural birth! My first birth was medicated with pitocin and an epidural. Recovery was slow and painful, both emotionally and physically. With this natural birth, I feel amazing! My body has far less trauma to heal from, and the natural endorphin high has wiped out any chance of having postpartum anxiety or depression.

What was your favorite comfort measure?
Being in the tub for the last 3-4 cm made things move faster and made those intense contractions so much more manageable!

How did your doula help you and would you use one again?
Absolutely, and I cannot recommend having someone like Bethany by your side enough. She educated me on what a woman's body is made to do without intervention. She empowered me to advocate for a natural birth. She supported my husband and I through every step of pregnancy, labor, delivery, and recovery. She has an amazing balance of knowledge, both with safe medical practice, and an understanding of what women's bodies are made to do without intervention. Her involvement helped me realize how strong my body is and I would not have had such an amazing birth experience without her.
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What advice would you give other moms planning a natural birth?
YOU CAN DO IT!! Trust your body, it knows exactly how to get your baby here.

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Here's the card my son wrote to his teacher - it made me tear up!  What an amazing connection the Lord had planned out for us.

"Dear Ashlyn, 
You are really cute.
Did you know my mom helped your mom have you Ashlyn.
​Your one of the first newborn babys I've ever seen."